Large Vintage Ring with Amethyst & Diamonds in Gold, c. 1970

Cocktail rings were once considered rebellious because they sent a clear message: In the 1920s, women in the U.S. wore these large pieces of jewellery to parties where alcohol was served—often disguised as colorful cocktails—despite Prohibition. Prominently placed on the index finger of the left hand, the message of such a ring was clear: Look, I enjoy life and know how to have a good time! By the middle of the century, during the heyday of the cocktail party—when serving alcohol had long since become legal again—a beautiful cocktail ring was a must-have in every well-stocked jewelry box. The rings were large, colorful, and strikingly designed. Brightly colored gemstones were particularly popular, their effect further enhanced by sparkling diamonds. This ring, dating from around 1970, also follows these glamorous jewellery fashions. At its center shines a large amethyst of a deep violet colour, cut in the classic emerald cut. White gold prongs on the sides hold the gemstone securely in its setting. On the shoulders of the ring, two groups of three old-cut diamonds provide a bright sparkle and create a charming contrast to the rich violet of the center stone. The simple yellow gold ring band, with its warm colour, complements the gemstone’s radiance. With its clean, generous design language, the ring is rooted in postwar modernism. The absence of intricate ornamentation allows the beauty of the large colored gemstone to shine through particularly well. The result is a confident piece of jewellery that carries forward the elegance and zest for life of cocktail ring fashion well into the 1970s. The ring found its way to us here in Berlin, though it was likely originally crafted in West Germany.

Estimate:£1,086.23

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